Is there a class struggle underpinning

the representation

of Youth Culture?

What Examples from past/present and future texts can you draw upon to support your answer?

Marxist Response

• A Marxist would argue that the problems associated with youth culture are underpinned by them being oppressed by the bourgeoisie.

• The lack of power that the working classes have in society has led to a ‘status frustration’.

• Youth’s are rebelling against the values held by the upper classes (children should be seen and not heard)

• To what extent do you think this is true?

Miliband’s Interpretation of the media representation.

• “Given the economic and political context in which they [the mass media] function, they cannot fail to be, predominantly,

agencies for the dissemination of ideas and values which affirm rather than challenge existing patterns of power and

privilege, and thus to be weapons on the arsenal of class domination” (Miliband 1973:211)

• Basically Miliband is suggesting that the media serve to perpetuate and reinforce dominant ideologies that govern society by re-presenting society through the eyes of the bourgeoisie.

• How could we link this to Stanley Cohen’s theory of moral panics?

Exam Practice: Incorporating Theory

We need to tackle the question step by step. Incorporating theory.

Analyse the ways in which the media represents

groups of people?